RATNAGAR, CHITWAN: A regional seminar on health science of wildlife has concluded, issuing a nine-point declaration in relation to the protection and conservation of wildlife.

The two-day seminar, which was held in Sauraha of Chitwan district on Tuesday with an aim to protect tigers, Asian rhinos and elephants, has concluded.

The declaration has called for strategies for wildlife health management and their implementation, incorporating wildlife health management in university curriculum, the care of wild animals, establishing a well-equipped wildlife hospital in the Chitwan National Park, and initiations to attract youth to the wildlife conservation and health management.

Likewise, the seminar also agreed to set up different departments for wildlife health management in the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), and provide opportunities to officials — working in the sector of wildlife in the country and abroad — for foreign training and study in the related field.

At the workshop, a paper on elephants was also presented by information officer at the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Sauraha, Baburam Lamichhane.

Organised jointly by the AFU, the Department of National Park and Wildlife, the NTNC, and faculties of animal science, wildlife medical and fisheries science of the AFU on February 5, the seminar saw the participation of experts in related fields from 13 different countries.

A total of 87 experts from 13 countries including Nepal, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, China, Australia, America and Thailand had participated in the seminar.

Senior veterinarian of Chitwan National Park, Dr Kamal Gaire, said that mainly the experience was shared regarding work progress achieved on the health and management of wildlife in 13 countries.

A total of 33 working papers were presented in the seminar.